The Atlanta City Council has authorized the city auditor an chief ethics officer to conduct an independent review of more than $511,000 in bonuses and gifts distributed in late 2017 to city employees by former mayor Kasim Reed.

The disbursed funds amounted to $811,000 after taxes were paid by the city. The review must be completed within 30 days, according to the legislation.

District 7 Councilmember and Finance Committee Chairman Howard Shook introduced the resolution at last week’s Finance/Executive Committee meeting.

The resolution states that the Atlanta City Council has determined the need to investigate the bonuses in an effort toward complete transparency and to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Committee members also want to determine if the bonuses violated the City’s Code of Ordinances or state law.

Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.